Improvement in cameras



2 Sheets--Sheet I @S' L. BERGSTRESSER.

Camera.

Patented Feb. 9,1875.

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MFR fW Jiwflwwag THE GKAPDQ'GCO PHOTO-LITE 39$ No.I59 .536.

WITNESSES.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

STEWART L. BERGSTRESSER, OF LAURELTON, ASSIGNOR TO J. B. BERG- S'IRESSER, OF RENOVO, AND E. L. BERGSTRESSER, OF HUBLERSBURG,

PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT lN CAMERAS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 159,536, dated February 9, 1875; application filed September 19, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEWART LEE Buns- STRESSER, of Laurelton, in the county of Union and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in (Jameras; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in cameras; and it consists in, first, adjusting the movable part of the camera back and forth by means of an endless belt and rollers; second, making the clamping device, by which the movable part of the camera is held in any desired position, in two separate pieces, which grasp the upper side of the hollow base or frame, whereby the central strip or bearing is dispensed with.

The accompanying drawings represent my invention.

a represents an ordinary camera, such as is generally used by photographers, provided with the movable part b, which can be tilted back and forth, and adjusted from side to side, in the usual manner. This camera is mounted upon an oblong flat box or frame, 0, open at both top and bottom, the front part of the camera being rigidly secured to its top, while the movable part b slides freely back and forth over its top, being prevented from any vertical movementby the guide or brace d, which is secured to its under side, and which catches against the under sides of the frame 0. In order to hold this movable part in any desired position, a clamping block, 0, is used, which is generally made in a single piece with the brace d, and is clamped up against the under side of the frame by means of the set-screw 9. By meansof this clamping device the usual central strip or guide is dispensed with, and the construction of the apparatus simplified and cheapened. In each end of the frame 0 is placed a roller, f, around which are placed the endless belts h, which are fastened to the brace d, so that when the belts are moved back and forth by turning one of the rollers, the movable part I) of the camera is moved back and forth, so as to adjust the focus. These belts are placed wholly inside of the frame, and form an easy and most perfect means of adjusting the part 11 back and forth at will. t represents a square frame, to the outer side of which is secured a spiral spring-wire, c, of suitable length, which is covered over by a cloth or hood, to, and which forms the focusing-cloth. In this frame is placed the object-glass. This wire being elastic, it forms an adjustable cloth, the length of which each operator will regulate by the pressure of his head against it. The frame t, being made entirely separate from the camera, can be taken off or adjusted in position in a moment.

By turning the small knob 0, secured to one of the rollers f, the camera can be moved rapidly back and forth, and adjusted with an ease and readiness such as cannot be accomplished in any other manner. Screws have heretofore been used for this purpose; but they are slow and tiresome, and when it is necessary for the photographer to work quickly, as when children are sitting, they are a source of annoyance and vexation, especially when the camera has to be moved any distance.

By means of the set-screw and block a clamp ing device is formed which can be readily an d easily adjusted, whereas by the old method the camera often becomes so tightly wedged 011 its guides that it can be scarcely moved.

I am aware that a rack and pinion z'or opening and closing the camera are old; and this I disclaim. This movement does not give as fine an adjustability as belts and rollers, is more expensive, and is too apt to bind and catch.

Having thus described my invention, I claim-- 1. In a camera, the combination of the 1novable part 1), base 0, rollers f, and belts h, Where- In testimony that I claim the foregoing l by the camera is opened and closed, substanhave hereunto set my hand this 1st day of Septially as set forth. tembcr, 1874.

2. The movable part of the camera I) and frame 0, in combination with the clamping STEWART LEE BERGSTRESSER. block or brace and set-screw whereby the part I) is held in any desired position, and the Witnesses: central strip or guide dispensed With sub- '1. H. ZIEGLER, stantially as shown. J. B. BERGSTRESSER. 

